Homes Selling Before Open House

[Anonymous]

This is just what it is like in hot markets. I've had a private viewing scheduled in advance of an open house and it went under contract hours before my appointment.

Hire a well connected realtor. When a friend told me about a house in a target neighborhood, I had my realtor reach out to the selling agent (same local area and know each other well). We were the first ones in as soon as you are allowed to view it and had a pre contract inspection within 48 hours.

I know people rag on realtors all the time - and probably rightfully so for many of them - but unless you are really savvy or looking in an undesirable area, a GOOD realtor can be helpful. I honestly don't even think we signed contracts for either one of our home purchases (2 different realtors).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Open houses are for us nosy neighbors. They may have had a purpose back in the 90s but in modern times I assume it’s only a way to apply pressure for serious buyers who are working on a contract. Or is the way to escalate the price for existing contracts.

Yes. if I can get an offer that I am happy with that is over listing, then I will definitely forgo the open house. Not only is the open house for looky-loos, my mother, a realtor, says that open houses frequently result in damage or missing items. So many browsers who come to an Open House, don't put in an offer, but feel free to abuse the house. My mother has reported looky-loos who opened the medicine cabinet to nose around, then slammed the cabinet cracking the glass and walked away. Personal items taken from the house because someone liked it. I remember one time I stopped by one locally here and saw a woman actually put a toy from the owners in her purse because it was adorable and her son would love it. I reported her to the listing agent who had to stop and explain that the toys in the house belonged to the owners and were not to be removed. Way too many over-entitled buyers and lookers out there who have no respect for others, who come to Open Houses.

[Anonymous]

Agreed on the general uselessness of Open Houses, but I do think that a Tuesday deadline for offers in a hot neighborhood allows a few more people to get into the bidding and hopefully bump up the eventual sale price.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn’t do an open house if the house had my belongings in it, but I think that’s more unusual than not in modern times.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Agreed on the general uselessness of Open Houses, but I do think that a Tuesday deadline for offers in a hot neighborhood allows a few more people to get into the bidding and hopefully bump up the eventual sale price.

Also to schedule pre-inspections and second viewings, which can be helpful.